St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-11-01
DRAMATIC NOTES.

lie opera SedtOn ndu qtlte pIIlIldut
opening last night There was the crowded
house of st. Paul's elite society, the hand
some dressing of the ladies giving ulster to
the picture of loneliness as it shone undert the
incandescent illuminas;ans- The splendid
audience was an evidence that EMMA ABBOTT
has lost none of her drawing power with the
st. Paul opera patrons.
The performance was the first representa-
ton IN this city of MARoHErTr's opera ''Ruy
Bias the libretto of which is based on VIC
TOR HUGo's drama of TIL name, the hero be-
ing identified in the traditions of the stage
with the picturesque and romantic figure of
FIGHTER. Perhaps the seyerest criu-
cism that can be made of the opera
is that it is dramatically heavy.
The music has all the warmth and
coloring that so weighty a dramatic
subject requires. and yet there is no elaborate
vocalization i'll its construction. 1t hasa rich,
flowing melody that falls most gratefully on
listening ears, while the orchestration is ar
ranged to give beautiful and varied effects
The gems of the opera. briefly summed up, are
the grand ford aria of the queen in the first
act, vocal embroidery of great brilliancy-
which was sung by Miss ABBOTT with such
exquisite art as to elicit a most enthusiastic
encore. Then there was the sparkling song
by Casilda, i'll which Miss ANSANDALE won
her first triumph. Then follows the great
dramatic scene of the queen and the beauti-
full ensemble which closes the first act. The
prominent features of the second act are the
exquisite love duo, the knighting of Ruy
Bias in the throne scene the quintette and
the chorus finale. The third and last acts
special concentrations are the queens
prayer, the grand trio and the death of Ruy
Bias in the queens arms, after having slain
Don Sallust.
Miss ABBorT's rich costu ming is the one
elegant feature of the opera. She exhibits
series of handsome toilets which won the
admiration of the thousand ladies in the au-
dience. In the first act She wore rich gar
ment of gold and white brocade, nand-em-
broidered all over with designs of golden
birds land bees flying through interiaced
leaves and flowers FELIX. the Partisan
modiste, was the designer of the dress. Her
second costume, made by WORTH, and VOL
in the throne scene. is of ruby velvet and am
Der brocade. with antique sleeves of Spanish
style, high collar: and the whole costume
fairly glittered with silver and pearls, these
being also hInd-embroidered. on the ruby
ground. TIE court mantle and train of I'M
usual length were of the same material as the
dress. The last costume, worn in the final
scene, is a beautiful black Lyons velvet
hand embroidered all over with jet, and an
tique Queen Anne collar.
''Ruy Bias was given by the Abbott COM
pany with perfectly artistic Interpretation.
If there was anything displeasing i'll the per-
Torrance it was the fault of the opera itself.
and not of the company. Miss ABBOTT sang
the part of Marie Therese, the queen of
Spain, with great earnestneSs, simplicity and
dramatic force. Miss ANNANDALE fine con-
tralto voice has a splendid showing in this
opera, the opportunities for brilliant vocal
1Zation falling more 10 the contralto than
to the soprano. Miss ANNANDALE's merit
as an artist never fails of a hearty
appreciation with St. Paul audience,
and the lightness and grace with which she
sang last night won loudest applause. Signor
MIcHELENA's Interpretation of the title role
was work of great refinement. His robust
tenor voice still retains its old-time impress
siye fervor. PRUETTE' rich baritone was heard
with best effect i'll the concerted pieces. One
beauty of PRUETTE's voice is the distinctness
of articulation. And BRoDERIoK's profound
basso never seemed in better tone than it did
last evening All of these oid-time favorites
received hearty greeting. Miss BERTRAM,
the new star who has been added to Miss ABB
BUTT HIuaLneHt sAhCe tue Compal! was last
i'll st. Paul, has an unimportant part in ''Ruy
Bias She has winsome face, and the au-
dience caught just enough of her bird-like
notes to make them eager to hear more.
The chorus shows the same excellenttrai
ing that Miss ABBoTT's companies always ex-
hibit, and the orchestra is perfect in its
work.
''Trovatore' is the bill for tonight.
'.Ruy Bias will be repeated at Saturday
matinee.